I've just moved to a new house and today started to plan my beds. while marking out i found that apart from about 6" of poor top soil, i've got nothing but clay, clay and more clay!!!!!! I'm hopig to get some help as i'm new to gardening. i want to improve my soil as from what i've read if i dont start with the basic's an try jumping forward to the planting it will be a waste of time and money as most things will struggle with the clay. What is the best way to improve the soil. I've read lots of differant things but what really works. I'm not scared of hard work so don't want short cuts just the best way to do a good job!!!!!!!!
Thanks
G

Just dig in tons of plant matter. Fallen leaves from trees on roads - any manure you can find - garden cuttings from neighbours that they want to get rid of --grass - keep on for a few years and it will be better.
At present put any good soil in tubs to grow flowers so that you have something to look at.
Plant potatoes, any old potatoes from the greengrocer, not for the crop but for the leafy tops to dig in ( there may be some spuds as a bonus ).

I would say that 6" of top soil is about the norm! your lucky you have that a lot of my garden is clay on top, I just keep adding old compost out of my tubs when I clear them of annuals and I have a compost bin and keep adding that.